Ch. 1.3: Programs and Programming Languages Flashcards
What is an algorithm?
A set of well-defined steps for performing a task or solving a problem sequentially ordered.
What is machine language?
A stream of binary numbers (numbers consisting of only 1’s and 0’s.
What is a programming language?
A language using words instead of numbers to ease the task of programming such as C++, Java, and Python.
What is a high-level language?
Languages closer to the level of human readability than computer readability.
What is portability?
The compatibility of a program to run on other computer systems such as Mac, Linux, Microsoft, etc.
What is source code?
Statements written by programmers and saved in a source file.
What is the preprocessor program?
It searches for special lines that begin with the #symbol. These lines contain commands that cause the preprocessor to modify the source code in some way.
What is a compiler?
The program that steps through the preprocessed source code translating each source code instruction into appropriate machine language instruction. This process uncovers any syntax errors that may be in the program.
What is object code?
Translated machine language instructions stored on an object file.
What is the runtime library?
A collection of prewritten code for performing common operations or sometimes difficult tasks like reading input from a keyboard or routine mathematical functions.
What is the linker program?
Combines the object file with the necessary library routines.
What is an executable file?
Contains machine language instructions or executable code and is ready to run on the computer.
What is an integrated development environment or IDE?
Consists of a text editor, compiler, debugger and other utilities integrated into a package with a single set of menus.
